On October 25, 1985, a Globe GC-1B (registration N90333) was involved in an aviation accident near Albuquerque, NM. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot suffered a fatal heart attack in flight, leading his non-rated wife to radio for help. Two flight instructors, contacted by Albuquerque Approach Control, guided her via radio. She landed the aircraft, which sustained substantial damage, but she was uninjured.
Incident Overview
The incident began when the wife of a pilot radioed that her husband had become incapacitated. This report prompted Albuquerque Approach Control to contact two flight instructors, who then departed in a separate aircraft to provide assistance. The instructors established and maintained radio communication with the non-rated wife, guiding her through the approach and landing procedure.
Landing and Outcome
The wife, who was not a rated pilot, followed the radio instructions and successfully landed the aircraft. The landing resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. Despite the damage, the wife was not injured.
Pilot Details
The pilot had been occupying the left seat of the aircraft when he lost consciousness. The cause of his incapacitation was a heart attack, which proved fatal. No other occupants were mentioned in the report.